Keith's Tribute Thread

[nicola]

Hello all,

I'm aware that Keith's passing away is reaching its first anniversary soon. I wanted to leave him a message in the original thread made in January for him but found I could not leave a reply. Are you going to open up this thread again to give our tributes again? Is another thread going to be made? Or is there just a problem with my computer being unable to reply?

I know it's a sensitive subject, but I wanted to leave my respects again and I'm sure others will want to too.

Nicola x x

[Richard]

Hello Nicola.

You've made a very good suggestion there. At the moment Keith's Tribute Thread is on the Announcements board where only staff members can post. I don't know if it's possible to change the settings on a single thread so all members can post, but if not we could move the thread to another board temporarily. Starting a new thread would be another solution.

What do you think, Roger and Dave?

Richard

[Dave]

Hello Nicola and Richard,

Roger and I were discussing this very subject yesterday but we didn't reach a conclusion, however, we shall be deciding what to do fairly soon (probably not before tomorrow). Thanks for starting this thread Nicola as your comments are certainly helpful.

Cheers, Dave

[grant]

I only met Keith once, at the UNICEF concert in London last September. Obviously I didn't know that he was ill, nor did I know anything about HWI at the time. BUT it was Keith that set me on the road of discovery that I shall never regret.

Coincidentally I have been to a funeral today of a much loved friend who I have known for over 30 years. It is hard to come to terms with such a loss and I regret that I never got to know Keith.

As a Christian, I know that he will be missed but never forgotten. It is a great tribute to him that Hayley dedicated Odyssey to him and of that I know he will be very proud. I am also confident that he is aware of Hayley's tribute and will watch over her on our behalf.

God bless you Keith
Much love
Grant

[Belinda]

Hi Grant,
your post is very touching,
I too only meet Keith the once at the same concert you did,and i did not know he was sick either and I'd known him for years,i did not even twig when i saw him even though i instantly thought he was thinner than i remember him in pictures,
So you can understand what a shock it was for me.
But i have many happy memories of the delight Keith got from things that Happened, i had to coax him to go up to Gerald at the Faenol festival in Wales August 2003,
I had pre warned Gerald someone from HWI may come up to him,so when they met Gerald said you must be Keith, i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif he was tickled pink. .

To Quote Keith
Then I said that, had I seen him earlier, I would have asked if Hayley would sign my CD inserts if she had the time. He asked me for them and told me he would get her to do it straight away, just wait there a minute. Next thing I saw was him looking at me through the security barrier. He beckoned me forward and cleared it with security for me to go through. Standing the other side was Hayley. I blurted out one word in both awe and surprise – “Hayley”. She had come out of a reception where there were over a hundred people waiting for her, just to meet me. She had signed my CD inserts and was just such a magical and lovely person to speak to. I was so honoured and said so. I got told that the honour was all hers. This I will never believe. The honour was definitely mine, and I’ll fight anyone who says different.

I had driven thirty miles back from the venue before the realisation actually hit me. I was just so excited and couldn't believe it. AND I EVEN GOT TO TOUCH HER HAND (he says like an over-excited child).

Last night's experience has made me even more of a dedicated fan. I am now totally loyal to this most beautiful person and her fantastic and friendly father. In fact, her whole family has my undying loyalty.

Thank you Hayley for the most wonderful night out I have ever had.

Keith.

he kept thanking me for persuading him to approach Gerald and said it gave him inspiration to make HWI what it was.
Another memory was Keith with my copy of Walking in the Air,Pre UNICEF Concert at the restaurant,did anyone get a picture,he was like a kid with a new bike.
Belinda NZ

[gerrit]

I would llke to take the opportunity to once again pay tribute to Keith and his involvement, dedication and hard work he put in for many young singers.

His input in a number of forums is still sorely mised.

Today is another day in which it is good to remember him, as it is the day on which he was born in 1950.

Gerrit

[comet]

I just came across this in a copy of Odyssey with the 4757683 Decca Number.

I'm not sure if it was ever posted elsewhere.

[Joe]

Hello Paul,

I can't believe that it has been over ten years since Keith left us.  Thank you for sharing that, a honest, loving tribute from Hayley. 

He would be ever so proud of Hayley today.

Now Keith, along with our other HWI co-founder, the late Simon Smalley, began this garden that is HWI.  Would both gentlemen have had the slightest idea that their garden would have lasted these thirteen summers?  Yes.  Of course they would.  Hayley was their tree. Because they believed in Hayley then, just as we believe in Hayley now.

When you plant a garden, you believe in tomorrow. 

But as with any garden, there were good days and bad days, bitter frosts and blazing sunsets.  Some years, that tree hardly grew.  But she continues to grow, ready for a new year to shine in this garden. Still following the sun on her journey.

[Andrew]

May 3, 2016 2:32:15 GMT Joe said:

Hello Paul,

I can't believe that it has been over ten years since Keith left us.  Thank you for sharing that, a honest, loving tribute from Hayley. 

He would be ever so proud of Hayley today.

Now Keith, along with our other HWI co-founder, the late Simon Smalley, began this garden that is HWI.  Would both gentlemen have had the slightest idea that their garden would have lasted these thirteen summers?  Yes.  Of course they would.  Hayley was their tree. Because they believed in Hayley then, just as we believe in Hayley now.

When you plant a garden, you believe in tomorrow. 

But as with any garden, there were good days and bad days, bitter frosts and blazing sunsets.  Some years, that tree hardly grew.  But she continues to grow, ready for a new year to shine in this garden. Still following the sun on her journey.

Hi Joe,

I really love your analogy of HWI as a garden.

Your words are so apt and very poetic.


A garden is a place to appreciate creation and all the wonders of life

A garden can be a place for quiet relection, prayer, memories and reunion

A garden allows you to benefit from time and effort invested, count blessings and to plan for the future

A garden is nature's canvas of ever changing colours - there to be loved by everyone.


I was just watching Hayley's beautiful video for Tsubomi

Somehow the lyrics for this song also seem to resonate from the very heart of the "HWI Garden".

Andrew

Tsubomi (蕾) 

Hayley Westenra

Only now I know of time
For too long I have
Drifted, never turning back
Now I am standing, the tide
Drawing me
I never felt so weak,
'Cos you mean everything to me.

Only you I feel your love
Golden, burning
Covering just like a glove
I feel the warmth of your gaze
Over me
Never felt such tranquility inside of me

And like a distant dream I see
The blossom vanishing
Just as each bud finally is blossoming
And I watch each petal dance
It's way over to me
They fall
They fall
They fall
All around me

I am here with you
You are here with me
Your smile and your loving face
Is everything I see
And, in this town
The memories you left behind
Swirled round and around
And forever I'm searching for the light
On a cloud away from time
Where our memories can shine
Wait for me and we can…